Monday, August 23, 2010

Pennsylvania Association Adopts AAHomecare Code of Business Ethics

The Pennsylvania Association of Medical Services (PAMS) is the first state association to adopt the AAHomecare Code of Business, helping to raise the bar for the HME community in Pennsylvania.

“PAMS is pleased to endorse AAHomecare’s comprehensive Code of Business Ethics,” said John Shirvinsky, executive director of PAMS. “We have been exploring our options for adopting a more comprehensive code of ethics on our own for more than a year, but it finally occurred to us that our industry is best served by rallying around a single Code that will set THE standard for ethical conduct in the HME industry. We hope that it becomes the ‘Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval’ for HME providers. This is a great step forward for our industry and we commend AAHomecare for leading the way.”

The Code was developed to highlight and promote the high standards practiced by homecare providers, and demonstrates this sector’s commitment to honest and transparent business practices. By adopting the Code, HME providers agree to follow ethical business practices in all of their interactions using some core principles to guide conduct:

• Comply with applicable, federal, state, and local laws and regulations.

• Promote and encourage conduct that builds trust between HME providers, patients, referral sources and private and public sector payers.

“It’s crucial that our industry have a comprehensive document which defines our business ethics and underscores our credibility,” said Georgie Blackburn, vice president of government relations and legislative affairs for BLACKBURN'S in Tarentum, Pa. “And it is appropriate that the Board of Directors of the oldest state organization in the country is the first to unanimously subscribe to the AAHomecare Code of Business Ethics! I couldn’t be more proud of the leadership shown by AAHomecare and PAMS! We truly are on the road to speaking with one voice!”

The Association will also host a series of teleconferences on the Code and Compliance plans, kicking off with Introduction to AAHomecare Code & Compliance Plans: The Stakes Are Higher – Tuesday, Sept. 27 – 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm (Eastern)